Lincoln Nebraska: We Invest in Your Success

The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development hosted its annual Economic Development Breakfast when it launched the new brand for Lincoln. The effort to rebrand Lincoln stemmed from the annual Business Conditions and Indicators Report, a publication of information designed to inform business leaders, government officials and the community about the perceptions of doing business in Lincoln.

The Lincoln branding project is one effort among many stemming from the Business Conditions and Indicators Report. Other projects include the downtown fiber telecommunications conduit, which was installed earlier this summer, TalentLNK, a program designed to introduce college students to the business community in Lincoln, and general recommendations for public policy.

This year, the Partnership released its 2012 Business Conditions and Indicators Report which compiled survey information from 86 companies across Lincoln. This year’s data highlights a net gain of 1,088 jobs over the past three years, compared to a net gain of 663 jobs during last year’s survey and a net loss of 718 jobs the year prior. 60% of all businesses surveyed reported plans to expand or renovate and invest nearly $67 million into the community in the next two years. Overall expansion plans, investment numbers and additional jobs are on the rise and indicate further opportunities for the community over the next three years.

Top reported strengths of the Lincoln business community were worker attributes including worker quality, stability, productivity and availability. Companies also reported on the strengths of the community as a positive place to do business. The most mentioned strengths included positive quality of life, strong employment work ethic and positive business climate. Companies were also asked to report on the community’s pain points and opportunities for improvement. The most mentioned areas for opportunity included transportation – air and road travel, community infrastructure, and supply of skilled workers.

The survey process led the Partnership to assist over 27 companies with business needs. Over 30 specific issues were identified which required additional involvement from the Partnership. A majority of the business assistance was for business financial incentives, facility expansion support, B2B linkages and infrastructure.

The Business Retention and Expansion program and report is made possible by active participation from a number of organizations including Lincoln Electric System, Black Hills Energy, the City of Lincoln, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the business leaders that participated in this year’s survey.

“The most important task of our organization is providing assistance to our local businesses,” said Wendy Birdsall, President of the Partnership. “The survey process is the best way to identify those opportunities. Through this process, we have helped assist hundreds of companies create and retain thousands of jobs in the last decade.”

For a copy of 2012 Business Conditions and Indicators Report please contact the Lincoln Chamber at (402) 436.2350.